A SECOND man involved in a blackmail plot surrounding the kidnapping of an expensive dog, escaped a prison sentence yesterday.

Keith Stanley Burrows, at the time an alcoholic, was described as a "gofer" in the bid to extract £500 from a North Wales couple for the safe return of their pedigree bulldog, valued at more than £1,000.

Burrows, 20, of Belgrave Avenue in Saltney, had admitted blackmail.

Judge Huw Daniel, sitting in Mold Crown Court, said Burrows was clearly the legman and certainly not the brains behind the plot - although he added that the man who was didn't have much brains either.

Burrows, said to be a changed man after his remand in custody, because he had been kept away from alcohol, was given a two-year community rehabilitation order.

Judge Daniel told Burrows, "You were the least involved and you have shown a complete change of attitude since you were remanded in custody."

Last month co-defendant Lester Poynton, 35, of Nevin Road in Blacon, was jailed for his part in the blackmail.

Prosecutor Mark Roberts said that Burrows had been responsible for delivering a blackmail note through the letter box of the dog's owner, Linden Mulhearn of Pres- tatyn.

Burrows' finger prints were later found on it and he admitted that he had written Poynton's mobile telephone number on the note, which had been prepared by Poynton.

The defendant had agreed to do it after he had been promised £50 of the ransom money, he claimed.

Defending barrister Tony Rose said Burrows had been a binge drinker and unfortunately got involved in the blackmail offence.

The court heard how Mr Mulhearn and an undercover policeman met Poynton in the car park of the Springfields hotel at Halkyn, near Mold, but Burrows was not involved in the exchange.

The money was paid and the dog handed over safely. The police then stopped Poynton's car.